Hurricanes knock off Thrashers in OT

Eric Staal had two goals in the Carolina's first victory over Atlanta in three meetings this season.

Kaberle's fourth goal of the season came on a slap shot from the left circle that ricocheted off the right goal post and behind Thrashers goalie Michael Garnett.

Marc Savard had a goal and an assist to lead Atlanta.

Staal scored both his goals in the second period, first on a power play at 2:04 and then on short-handed breakaway at 7:37 to give the Hurricanes a 3-2 lead.

Bobby Holik tied it at 3 with 21 seconds left in the second. Atlanta was still on a power play just seconds after ending a two-man advantage when Savard sent a pass from the goal line to Holik in the middle of the left circle.

Carolina, which lost 5-2 Sunday in the first game of the home-and-home series, had lost four of five after winning 13 of 15.

Mets finalize deal with Wagner

NEW YORK - Billy Wagner and the New York Mets finalized their $43 million, four-year contract, and the ace reliever was introduced at a Shea Stadium news conference.

Wagner saved 38 games for Philadelphia last season and turned down an offer of just more than $30 million over three years to stay with the Phillies.

While the Mets offered a no-trade clause, he said Philadelphia was willing to include it for only the first two years of a contract.

"It came down to the no-trade," he said. "To me that played a very important role."

The 34-year-old left-hander, whose fastball reaches 100 mph, appeared at Shea one day after the Mets held a news conference for Carlos Delgado, acquired last week from the Florida Marlins.

Wagner, who is from Virginia, visited New York last month with his wife.

"My wife was definitely a little nervous," he said, adding that Madison Avenue's shopping boutiques were a plus for her.

A four-time All-Star, Wagner went 4-3 with a 1.51 ERA and 87 strikeouts in 75 appearances this year. He has 284 career saves. He takes over as the Mets' closer from Braden Looper, who became a free agent after going 4-7 with a 3.94 ERA and 28 saves in 36 chances.

The 32-year-old right-hander, who was to appear at a Wrigley Field news conference, was 7-4 with a 2.47 in 79 relief appearances with the Cleveland Indians last season and held batters to a .191 average.

He became the second free agent reliever added to the Cubs' bullpen, joining left-hander Scott Eyre. Both are former members of the Chicago White Sox.

Howry has also pitched with the Red Sox during his eight-year major league career. He has a 3.58 ERA in 434 career relief appearances with 52 saves and a 25-26 record.

Hingis to return to pro tennis next year

LONDON - Martina Hingis is returning to professional tennis - again.

The former top-ranked player, who retired from the WTA Tour three years ago because of an ankle injury, won five Grand Slam singles titles in her career and was the youngest player to be ranked No. 1.

The Swiss player made a brief comeback in February, losing in the first round of the Volvo Women's Open in Thailand. Her previous match was at Filderstadt in October 2002, but she believed she prematurely returned to competition following left ankle surgery, and withdrew from all remaining tournaments.

Cassell leads Clippers in victory

MINNEAPOLIS - Sam Cassell shook off flu-like symptoms to hit a big 3-pointer down the stretch, staving off a furious rally by his former team and lifting the Los Angeles Clippers to a 93-84 victory over Minnesota Tuesday night.

The Clippers led by 16 points with 10 minutes to play in the game before Kevin Garnett and the Wolves responded with a 14-0 rally.